Oahu and Maui remain under hurricane warning as the storm trails towards the Hawaii Islands, expecting to unleash heavy downpours and gusts of high speeds.

Winds have now weakened down to 120mph as the storm inches into a Category 3 Hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale but fears remain for the islands.

About 350 people have resided in open shelters in Oahu, as residents frantically flee their homes while Hurricane Lane continues its trail towards Hawaii.

A member of staff at a local service station in Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu island, said locals were "constantly filling" their vehicles with petrol for fear the Hurricane would wipe out supply.

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He told AFP news agency: "Everybody is in a panic mode right now, everyone is filling up gas, gas cans, propane cans."

Meanwhile. the East Maui region was threatened by torrential downpours over the past few days, collecting up to three inches of rain over the week while flash floods threatened

residents in Hilo, Hawaii.

Hawaii News Now forecaster Guy Hagi said: "The bad news is that in the latest update it has maintained strength. Even though it weakened overnight it’s still a borderline Category 3, Category 4 hurricane. It’s right on the cusp with winds at 130mph, gusts of 160mph.

"You can see we have lost that distinct eye that was there earlier last night but still it remains massive, it remains powerful and it’s dragging a lot of moisture. In fact, over the last several hours, notice behind it a big thunderstorm is blooming almost as big as Lane itself."

On Thursday, parts of the Big Island were soaked with almost 20 inches of rain as Hurricane unleashed heavy downpours throughout the region.

Mr Hagi added: "Even though the Big Island and Maui County got a lot of rain, on the Big Island more than 17 inches so far, another round of rain and severe weather looks like it's on the way as Lane moves up towards the rest of the islands.

"The rain is already stretching out towards Maui County and Oahu and that’s expected to continue. This is the projected track, expected to remain at Category 3 strength through tomorrow and that’s going to be at 120mph.